Portugal in focus as Sindh seeks expertise in water, energy and football

Murad Ali Shah invites Portuguese firms to explore desalination projects in Karachi, invest in energy sector and help develop Lyari’s football talent

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has invited Portuguese companies to invest in the province’s water and energy sectors and partner with the provincial government to address Karachi’s growing demand for drinking water through modern desalination technology.

During a meeting with Portugal’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Paulo Domingues, at CM House, the chief minister proposed connecting Portuguese companies specialising in water management and desalination with the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) to assess the technical and commercial feasibility of establishing desalination plants in the port city.

The meeting also explored opportunities to expand Pakistan-Portugal cooperation in energy, infrastructure development, investment and sports, with particular emphasis on drawing on Portugal’s footballing expertise to nurture young talent in Karachi’s Lyari neighbourhood.

The discussions reflected Sindh’s efforts to attract international investment and access modern technologies to address pressing urban infrastructure challenges while creating opportunities for economic development and people-to-people exchanges.

Welcoming the Portuguese ambassador, Murad Ali Shah said his government was actively exploring sustainable solutions to Karachi’s increasing water requirements, with desalination emerging as an important option for strengthening the city’s water supply.

He said cooperation with Portuguese companies could help Sindh benefit from international expertise and advanced technologies to improve access to clean drinking water and address the province’s broader infrastructure and energy needs.

The chief minister proposed that Portuguese firms with relevant technological capabilities work directly with KWSC to examine the feasibility of potential desalination projects, including their technical requirements, available technologies, financing arrangements and investment models.

He said the proposed collaboration would enable both sides to determine the viability of desalination facilities capable of contributing to Karachi’s long-term water security.

“Portugal has valuable technological expertise in water management and desalination. We want to benefit from this experience to develop sustainable and modern water supply solutions for Karachi,” the chief minister said.

He emphasised that the provincial government was keen to establish international partnerships that could introduce innovative solutions, improve public service delivery and strengthen the city’s water infrastructure.

Karachi’s expanding population and rising demand for essential services have increased the need for sustainable water management and infrastructure development. In this context, the proposed engagement with Portuguese companies could provide an opportunity to explore alternative water sources and modern technologies, subject to technical assessments, financial viability and the availability of investment.

The two sides also discussed opportunities for Portuguese investment in Sindh’s energy sector, with the chief minister highlighting the potential for cooperation through modern technology, technical expertise and private-sector participation.

Murad Ali Shah said Sindh was open to international investors and technological partnerships that could support energy security, infrastructure development and sustainable economic growth.

He directed the provincial Investment Department to establish contact with the Portuguese Embassy and identify areas in which Portuguese companies could invest or cooperate with local partners.

The initiative is aimed at translating the discussions into practical proposals by identifying commercially viable projects and encouraging direct engagement between potential investors and relevant provincial institutions.

The chief minister said stronger commercial links with Portugal could help introduce new technologies, encourage investment and create opportunities for mutually beneficial economic cooperation.

Both sides agreed to maintain close coordination to identify potential projects and explore ways to advance cooperation in the priority sectors discussed during the meeting.

Sports development, particularly football, emerged as another important area of potential bilateral cooperation.

Highlighting Lyari’s longstanding football culture, Murad Ali Shah said the Karachi neighbourhood had considerable talent among young players who could benefit from professional coaching, structured training programmes and greater exposure to international standards.

He said the provincial government wanted to create opportunities for promising footballers to develop their skills by learning from Portugal’s established footballing traditions and coaching expertise.

“Lyari has tremendous footballing talent. We want our young players to benefit from Portugal’s rich footballing experience, modern coaching techniques and international standards of training,” he said.

The chief minister discussed the possibility of establishing partnerships between Portuguese football institutions, coaches and sports organisations and their counterparts in Sindh.

The proposed cooperation could include specialised training programmes, coaching exchanges, technical assistance and opportunities for talented young footballers to gain international exposure.

Such initiatives could help strengthen grassroots football, improve coaching standards and provide young players with pathways to develop their abilities.

The discussions also highlighted the potential for sports to strengthen people-to-people relations between Pakistan and Portugal, particularly by creating opportunities for young people to engage with international sporting institutions and learn from experienced professionals.

Ambassador Paulo Domingues expressed interest in expanding Portugal’s engagement with Sindh across water management, desalination, energy and sports.

He indicated that Portuguese companies could explore opportunities to share their technological expertise and participate in potential projects in Karachi and other parts of the province.

The ambassador also welcomed the proposal to establish direct engagement between Portuguese companies and KWSC to examine the feasibility of desalination projects, opening the way for further discussions on water-sector cooperation.

Portugal’s experience in water management and football development could provide a foundation for collaboration, while potential investment in energy and infrastructure could broaden commercial ties between the two sides.

The meeting was attended by Portugal’s Political Officer David Arcaú, Honorary Consul of Portugal in Karachi Amin Fakar, and Secretary to the Chief Minister Asif Jameel.

The discussions marked an effort to broaden Pakistan-Portugal engagement at the provincial level, with Sindh seeking to combine international technological expertise, private investment and institutional partnerships to address local development priorities.

While the proposed initiatives remain subject to further discussions and feasibility assessments, both sides expressed interest in maintaining contact to identify opportunities that could translate diplomatic engagement into practical cooperation.